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Know More about the Delightful Island Whisky
The islands of Orkney, Skye, Mull, Lewis, Isle of Jura and Isle of Arran collectively form the diverse regions that take pride in producing the Island whisky. This region's close proximity to the sea lends the salty and much needed smoky flavor to the Island whisky. The style ruling the Island whiskies could be described as dense that is accompanied with moderate doses of peat and maritime in nature.
Characteristics of the Island whisky
Despite the reigning salty flavor prevailing in the Island whisky, there is a perfect balance of sweetness and pungency. Both these extremities dwell in perfect harmony within the spirit. This makes Island whisky an extremely eclectic category of whiskies that are unique to these lands. It becomes hard to categorize Island whisky under other styles as they carry their own unique flavor. The geographical placement of these islands could be one of the main reasons for the unique aroma.
Popular Island whisky distilleries
Whiskies produced in the distilleries of Isle of Jura are marked by higher salinity and can be often described as a little greasy in nature. These whiskies possess a gentle peat.
Talisker, the only distillery in the island of Skye, uses distinguishing peated malt and is usually accompanied by a smoky and pungent scent. The dram produced in Talisker is very similar to the punchy whiskies made in the southern coast of Islay.
Tobermory, the distillery in Mull is famous for producing soft whiskies that carry a minty freshness of menthol along with abundant sweetness.
Orkney on the other side is dark and weather-worn. These characteristics lend a salty flavor in the whisky produced in Orkney. On the other hand, the Highland Park distillery in Orkney produces slightly smoky whisky.
Arran is a newbie to the group and has been producing whiskies that carry plenty of sweetness mostly attained from the barley. They also have a reasonably fruity characteristic, much like the Speyside whiskies. These whiskies do not contain peat.
Popular Island whiskey brands
• Highland Park 40 Bottling Note
Highland Park 40 is a rare and special 40-year old whisky from Highland Park. The scent of the whisky is rich and full, accompanied with notes of pine oil, eucalyptus and hints of honey. The Highland Park also has some fruity and grassy notes that lend a gentle smoky flavor. The taste of the whisky could be described as full and at the same time a little oily. Also present are some notes of leafiness and hints of sherry. Heavy oaky note with Seville marmalade and a little bit of spice is what the spirit would taste like. Needless to say, the age lends more value to the whisky. Highland Park also has focused on stunningly packaging the bottle, giving it the well deserved admiration.
• Ledaig Single Malt
The Ledaig peated single malt is light and produced in the Tobermory distillery in Mull. The whisky carries a light and well balanced scent. There is also a distinguishing freshness that comes from the notes of powdered hay, barley sugars and herbs. The spirit also has notes of melted salty butter and cereals. The taste could be described as medium-bodied with certain richness and a little amount of caramel.
Find out more about a wide range of whiskies at http://www.whiskymarketplace.co.uk